Felicity supervised the selection of Harriet's gown and pelisse.
"Definitely the yellow muslin with the turquoise pelisse," Felicity proclaimed. "With, I think, the turquoise bonnet. It suits your eyes. Do not forget your gloves."
Harriet studied herself in the looking glass. "You do not think it is a bit bright?"
Felicity smiled knowingly. "It is very bright. And you look wonderful. You will stand out in the park and St. Justin will appreciate that. He'll want to make certain everyone notices you."
Harriet glowered at her, but said nothing. She was afraid that Felicity was right.
Gideon arrived in front of Aunt Adelaide's townhouse in a bright yellow driving phaeton. The dashing carriage was horsed by two huge, powerful-looking beasts. The animals did not match in color as was the fashion. One was a bulky, muscled chestnut and the other was a monstrous gray. Both looked as if they would be extremely difficult to manage, but they appeared very well behaved. Harriet was suitably impressed.
"What magnificent animals, my lord," she said as Gideon handed her up onto the high seat of the phaeton. "I will wager they can run at full gallop for hours. They appear very sturdy."
"They are," Gideon said. "And you are quite correct about their stamina. But I assure you, Minotaur and Cyclops are barely worthy of pulling this carriage now that you are seated in it. You are looking very charming this afternoon."
Harriet sensed the cool satisfaction behind the gallant words and she glanced quickly at Gideon. She could read nothing in the strong, set lines of his face, however. He vaulted easily up onto the seat beside her and collected the reins.
Harriet was not surprised to discover that Gideon handled the team with cool mastery. He deftly guided the horses along the crowded thoroughfare and then turned into the park. There they joined the throng of elegantly dressed people who had turned out in every manner of carriage and on horseback to see and be seen.
Harriet was aware at once that she and Gideon were the focus of a great deal of immediate attention. Everyone they passed gazed at the couple in the yellow phaeton with varying degrees of politeness and avid curiosity. Some simply stared boldly. Others nodded aloofly and slid assessing glances over Harriet. Several could not take their eyes off Gideon's scarred face. And a few raised eyebrows at the sight of the unfashionable horses.
Gideon appeared totally unaware of the attention he and Harriet were receiving, but Harriet began to grow increasingly uneasy. It occurred to her that she would have felt awkward even if Felicity had not made her comments about exotic pet fiancées.
"I understand you danced the waltz with Morland last night," Gideon said after a period of silence. He sounded as though he were merely commenting on the weather.
"Yes," Harriet admitted. "He has been very kind to both Felicity and me since we appeared in Town. He claims he is an old friend of yours, sir."
"That was a long time ago," Gideon murmured, his attention on his horses as he guided them through a crowded section of the path. "I think it would be best if you did not dance with him again."
Harriet, already on edge because of all the stares, reacted more sharply than she might have otherwise. "Are you saying you do not approve of Mr. Morland, sir?"
"That is precisely what I am saying, my dear. If you wish to dance the waltz, I shall be happy to partner you."
Harriet was flustered. "Well, of course I should much prefer to dance with you, my lord. You know that. But I am told that engaged women and even married women frequently dance with a great many other people besides their fiancés and husbands. It is fashionable to do so."
"You do not need to concern yourself with fashion, Harriet. You will set your own style."
"It sounds to me as though you are trying to set my style." Harriet turned her head to avoid the frank gaze of a man on horseback. She was sure he said something quite odious to his friend as they passed the phaeton. An unpleasant laugh drifted back on the breeze.
"I am trying to avoid trouble," Gideon said quietly. "You are a sensible woman, Harriet. You have trusted me before and you must trust me again. Stay clear of Morland."
"Why?" she demanded baldly.
Gideon's jaw tightened. "I do not think it is necessary to go into the reasons."
"Well, I do. I am not a green chit fresh out of the schoolroom, my lord. If you wish me to do something or not do something, you must explain why." A thought struck her, squelching her incipient defiance. She smiled tremulously. "If you are jealous of Mr. Morland, I assure you, there is no need. I did not enjoy dancing the waltz with him nearly as much as I enjoy it with you."
"This is not a question of jealousy. It is a question of common sense. Need I remind you, Harriet, that we are in our present situation precisely because you did not follow my instructions on another occasion?"
Harriet winced, momentarily subdued by guilt. She could not deny that it was her failure to stay safely at home on the night the thieves had been trapped that had led to Gideon's proposal. She tried to rally her spirits.
"I admit I am somewhat at fault, my lord. But if you had included me in your plans as I requested, I would have been more cautious that night. You have a tendency to be very autocratic, sir, if you do not mind my saying so. It is a most unpleasant habit."
Gideon glanced at her. One dark brow rose. "If that is the only fault you can find in me, then I think we shall deal very well with each other, my dear."
She gave him a disgruntled look. "It is a major fault, sir, not a minor one."
"Only in your eyes."
"My eyes are the only ones that matter," she retorted.
A slow, faint smile curved Gideon's mouth. "I'll grant you that much. Your eyes are, indeed, the only ones that matter. And you have very beautiful eyes, Harriet. Have I told you that?"
She warmed instantly to the compliment. "No, sir, you have not."
"Then allow me to do so now."
"Thank you." Harriet blushed as the phaeton moved on down the park path. She was not accustomed to being told she had any fine points. "Felicity said the color of this bonnet would bring out my eyes."
"It does indeed." Gideon was obviously amused.
"But do not think that gallantry will make me forget your odious tendency to issue orders, sir."
"I will not forget, my dear."
She slid him a calculating glance. "Are you sure you will not tell me why it is you wish me to avoid Mr. Morland?"
"Suffice it to say he is not the angel he appears."
Harriet frowned. "Do you know, that is exactly what I thought he looked like last night. An archangel out of an old painting."
"Do not confuse appearances with reality."
"I will not, my lord," she said stiffly. "I am not a fool."
"I know," Gideon said gently. "But you have a tendency to be rather obstinate and headstrong."
"It seems only fair that I should have a flaw or two equal to your own," Harriet said sweetly.
"Hmm."
Harriet was about to pursue the subject of Bryce Morland when a familiar face appeared out of the crowd of riders on the path. She smiled in welcome at Lord Applegate, who was riding a sleek, prancing black gelding. The animal was fashionable in all the ways that Gideon's horses were not. It had a fine-boned, high-spirited elegance which perfectly complemented its rider's equally elegant attire.
"Good afternoon, Miss Pomeroy. St. Justin." Applegate guided his graceful gelding alongside the yellow phaeton. His eyes lingered wistfully on Harriet's face framed in her ruffled turquoise bonnet. "You are looking exquisite today, Miss Pomeroy, if I may say so."
"Thank you, sir." Harriet glanced at Gideon out of the corner of her eye. He appeared distinctly bored. She looked at Applegate again. "Have you had a chance to read that article on fossil tooth identification in the last issue of the Transactions?"